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Disaster recovery assistance for businesses, individuals available

Wed, 09/06/2017 - 12:00amAnonymous

Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Texas businesses and residents as a result of President Donald Trump’s major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration’s Administrator Linda McMahon announced.

The declaration covers the counties of San Patricio, Bee, Goliad, Kleberg, Nueces, and Refugio as a result of Hurricane Harvey which began Aug. 23, 2017.

McMahon said, “SBA is strongly committed to providing Texas with the most effective and customer-focused response possible and with access to federal disaster loans to help Texas businesses and residents affected by this disaster. Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as nonprofit organizations and 1.75 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first call the Federal Emergency Management Agency at (800) 621-FEMA (3362). As soon as Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

For those impacted by Hurricane Harvey - steps one can take now are as follows:

1. Apply with FEMA if you are in the affected region, even if you don’t think you need any assistance now, you may need it later, so register now. If you have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers resources to help you recover. Visit www.fema.gov/ hurricane-harvey for trusted recovery information. To find and apply for assistance, visit www.disasterassistance.gov.

2. Apply for SBA Disaster Loan Assistance (homeowners, renters, businesses of any size): If you are in a declared disaster area and have suffered any disaster related damage you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance. Homeowners and Renters must register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to obtain a FEMA Registration ID Number by calling 1-800-621-3362. Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply even if you are not sure you need or want a loan. Apply here: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. The telephone number is (800) 659-2955, or email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

SBA Loan Deferment Information

To further support these recovery efforts, the SBA will provide relief to certain borrowers, including SBA Microlenders, with existing 7(a), 504, 7(m) and disaster loans. Effective immediately, the Agency is providing an automatic 12-month deferment of principal and interest payments for SBA-serviced business and disaster loans that were in “regular servicing” status on Aug. 25, 2017, in those primary counties designated as federal disaster areas. Interest will continue to accrue on the loans involved. Borrowers will be notified of the automatic deferment on their monthly payment notices (SBA Forms 1201). Borrowers preferring to continue making regular payments during the deferment period should notify their respective SBA servicing center to make alternative payment arrangements. After this automatic 12-month deferment period, SBA will review borrower circumstances on a case-by-case basis to determine the nature and extent of further relief appropriate for each situation.

Del Mar College SBDC Advisors are available to assist with SBA Business Disaster Loan Assistance documents. Contact your current Business Advisor or the SBDC office at (361) 698-1021 or sbdc@delmar.edu. Affected counties covered by Del Mar College SBDC: Nueces, San Patricio, Live Oak, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Kenedy, Brooks.

University of Houston-Victoria SBDC Advisors are available to assist with SBA Business Disaster Loan Assistance documents. Contact your current Business Advisor or the SBDC office at